The following is an abridged version of a discussion on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/edpagecourant.

Jeff Clark: I understand her perspective ... here in New England we don't like strangers or intruders in our communities ... never have been welcoming to such ... but in the scope of national and world events, the Newtown massacre may warrant such. She's just sick of it.

Rick Usifer: Even though I am a Democrat, I sympathize with Ms. Hovey. There was a day when it would have been common courtesy to invite the local rep to something like this, even if she was in the other party. And they wonder why nothing gets done in the legislature or Congress. I am very disappointed by the Democratic so-called party leaders in this state.

Jimmetta L. Samaha: The meeting was bipartisan. The first selectman was there. She is a Republican. Others were Democrats. As far as New Englanders not being welcoming to strangers, I have lived in Connecticut my entire life and the myth that we are unwelcoming is an insult to the warm, wonderful people who live here. This is simply a case of another politician with an out-of-control ego.

David Dunn: Maybe people need to slow down and realize Gabby is an EX-congresswoman. Now, does not that suggest an apolitical reason for her visit? Jeez, the partisans leap at everything!

Dawn Cooper: I don't think that it is possible to determine if the visit was apolitical or not. It has been speculated that her husband, Mark Kelly, may at some point run for her seat. Because someone is not actively holding office, does not mean that they are "apolitical." If Sarah Palin had visited the families, would that have been seen as "apolitical"? She is not running or holding any public office.

David Dunn: Seems to me it's Hovey who's making politics out of this. While she's in Florida, a truly concerned private citizen makes a visit and now she's getting all territorial. Rooowwrrr!!

Chris Ward: Speaking as a liberal Democrat, I thought her visit was inappropriate and poorly timed. There isn't anything anyone can do for that community beyond leaving them alone to heal (as best they can).

David Brzezinski: It seems to me, given it was a private meeting between the families and Giffords, that it can be taken at face value that it was a heartfelt gesture. It seems that the esteemed state rep is the one who is tactlessly making this about politics.

Dawn Cooper: A private meeting should stay private and even their arrival could have been kept out of the news. The fact that it was announced prior to their arrival and reported on afterward makes it far less "private" and far more political.

Dianne Stone: So maybe Rep . Hovey has a point in a breach of etiquette (and etiquette is a valid and important concept). But her handling of the issue through a curt Facebook status post was unfortunate. Rather than making her point, she comes off looking bad.

David Dunn: Were you guys all over that Alaskan publicity sponge when she went anywhere uninvited?

Malvi Lennon: If the Giffordses had visited alone without the "bipartisan" political tag-alongs, I would be more inclined to think their visit was only a symbol of solidarity. I am disgusted with politicians on both sides of the aisle using this tragedy to score political points and/or advance an agenda.

Maura Casey: A congresswoman whose head was nearly blown off during a mentally ill man's mass shooting has a relevant message to share with parents grieving over their children killed by a mentally ill man during a mass shooting. If she wanted to make this political, she would have had a press conference. She didn't. Rep. Hovey should think before she posts.

Barbara Nagy: Life is political — all of our actions have repercussions in our social and public networks. Hopefully ALL of our actions are heartfelt, based on what we think is best for the greater good. Of course there are always times when we think someone isn't doing that. The gracious (and politic) thing to then is to either let it go or challenge them on a higher ground — not to lash out. But really, "political" and "heart-felt" aren't mutually exclusive.

Malvi Lennon: Many children are shot, killed and maimed but I do not see the media or these so-called "caring" public officials and former public officials visiting grieving families in Hartford, New Haven or Bridgeport. Let's face it — a beautiful little town in rural New England, white, upper middle-class community, adorable children, young teachers, and a beloved principal all victims of a madman with a gun. If anyone thinks politicians are not going to exploit this, I have beachfront property for sale in Windsor.

Debra Elkins Dickey: Giffords is one person who can relate to the horrible way the victims at Newtown died. Not everyone and everything in this world are motivated by partisan politics, and I think Giffords went to offer what comfort she could to the families in Newtown. State Rep. Hovey was was being petty from her warm vacation spot in Florida.

Christopher O'Brien: C Arthur VanLear — Hovey doesn't have a connection to 28 people dying in her hometown in a single hour? A town that used to house the largest mental health facility in the state? Excuse me?

Debra Elkins Dickey: Hovey isn't even there right now for her constituents, so why is she even complaining about Giffords? Maybe 'cause Hovey missed the photo op?

MaryJane Borcynski: when are people going to stop saying every gesture is political? I cannot see what Giffords gained politically coming to CT. It's her time, it's her money ... she can do whatever she wants. She was sincere in her visit. I challenge anyone out there who was shot in the head/face and has recovered as she has, to do whatever it is she wants without bigots judging her.

Debra Elkins Dickey: Maybe Giffords traveled there because she was shot in the head, and others wounded and killed, by a mentally ill gunman. If that doesn't give her something in common with them, what does? Why is it that that victims of massacres perpetuated by a single gunman would talk about gun control?

Tom Nash: Yes, Giffords was a victim,too. But she has no personal relationship with any of the victims or the town. There is now an agenda that has risen from this tragedy ... my guess is her intent is to further the agenda.

Marty Townsend: Even state Rep. DebraLee Hovey knew she was wrong, as witnessed by her removing the post. What gets me is the ones on this page who jump at the chance to defend a ridiculous position. What happened at Newtown was a national tragedy, as were the Columbine, Aurora and other mass shootings. The Giffordses are in a position to show their support for the families and surrounding community. They did not schedule a news conference, but went as private citizens. Ms. Hovey was elected as a state representative — she wasn't crowned queen, this is not her town.

Mario Hasz: This is all about the poor Republicans being "victimized" again, and is only a gesture of sympathy for the Newtown families by Giffords.

Art Mocabee: Probably not a stunt ... just in bad taste. Leave this community and the families of the victims alone.

John M. Stanko: Gabby Giffords showed class and concern when she visited grieving families in Newtown. Her compassion, which is genuine, considering the fact that she herself had been there and done that but survived, I'm sure was appreciated by those who met with her. On the other hand, state Rep. DebraLee Hovey showed no class whatsoever in her reprimand of Giffords and instead showed that she was insensitive and that her motivation was purely political and territorial. The battle between the Republicans and Democrats has reached a new low when simple acts of compassion are attacked and people are belittled for them.

Nancy Macy: So glad DebraLee Hovey is not in my town.

Cj Bernabucci: What a shame that Ms. Giffords has to be maligned by a cynical polital bully. State Rep. Hovey showed a lack of class.

Michael Beaulieu: Can The Courant find out who paid her expenses? That will answer the question better than we can. If they were paid out of her own pocket, I won't say the move was political ... if not, follow the money.

Ann LaVenture Cadieux: As it was a nice gesture as I believe it was, no she did not need to visit. I'm sure she could have found another way to say "I'm sorry for your loss." I believe these people need to heal, not have cameras on them at all times.

Joann Yulke: It isn't what we think that matters, it is what the parents of those children think. If Gabby's visit here helped even one of them, I thank her for taking her time to come and support and pray with them. I think Ms. Hovey is just embarrassed that she was in Florida when this visit took place. Shame on her for making it into a political thing. No one owns Newtown.

Michael Burke: If she paid for the trip herself, it was heartfelt.

Jill Bartolomei Espelin: To answer the question Ed, I think it was a heartfelt gesture by Gabby Giffords. She shares a common bond with the people of Newtown. (Similarly, being a veteran, I feel a common bond with veterans even though I did not "go to war"). It was a totally inappropriate post on FB by Hovey. ... Very unprofessional.